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USGS2018

Comparison of genetic and visual identification of cisco and lake whitefish larvae from Chaumont Bay, Lake Ontario

Cisco Coregonus artedi are an important component of native food webs in the Great Lakes, and their restoration is instrumental to the recovery of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar . Difficulties with visual identification of larvae can confound early life history surveys, as cisco are often difficult to distinguish from lake whitefish C. clupeaformis . We compared traditional visual species identification methods to genetic identifications based on barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I gene for 726 coregonine larvae caught in Chaumont Bay, Lake Ontario. We found little agreement between the visual characteristics of cisco identified by genetic barcoding and the most widely used dichotomous key, and the considerable overlap in ranges of traditionally utilized metrics suggest that visual identification of coregonine larvae from Chaumont Bay is impractical. Coregonines are highly variable and plastic species, and often display wide variations in morphometric characteristics across their broad range. This study highlights the importance of developing accurate, geographically appropriate larval identification methods in order to best inform cisco restoration and management efforts.

New York↗

USGS2019

Chronic wasting disease—Research by the U.S. Geological Survey and partners

Introduction Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the only transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, a class of invariably fatal neurodegenerative mammalian diseases associated with a misfolded cellular prion protein found in wild free-ranging animals. Because it has a long incubation period, affected animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”) may not show signs of disease for several years. While signs are not specific to CWD, affected cervids (deer, elk, moose, and reindeer) show changes in appearance (such as progressive weight loss) and changes in behavior such as stumbling, tremors, and teeth grinding. CWD can be transmitted by direct contact or through a contaminated environment. The causative prion agent is highly resistant to degradation. In recent decades, CWD has transitioned from a novel, obscure prion disease of cervids with limited geographical distribution, to a disease that poses substantial ecological, agricultural, and economic risks across large regions of North America. Since its discovery in free-ranging elk and deer populations in the western United States in the 1980s, CWD has been reported in captive or free-ranging cervid populations in 26 States, 3 Canadian Provinces, the Republic of South Korea, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. In addition, the proportion of CWD-infected animals is increasing in many areas where the disease is already established. In some heavily affected areas, total cervid numbers have decreased over time due to CWD, which suggests that these cervid populations may not be sustainable in the long-term. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts wildlife disease surveillance and research to support management of CWD-affected species and their habitats. The scientific information is relevant to governmental agencies that manage wildlife and their habitats including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other Federal, State, and Tribal agencies as well as conservation partners (non-governmental organizations, businesses, and private landowners). Each project description in this report (1–30) includes the non-USGS collaborators (Federal, State, Tribal agencies, universities) and a USGS point of contact (principal investigator). If there are USGS publications associated with the project, a publication list is provided at the end of each project description.

Alberta, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas↗

USGS1995

Canvasback ducks

Canvasbacks ( Aythya valisineria ) are unique to North America and are one of our most widely recognized waterfowl species. Unlike other ducks that nest and feed in uplands, diving ducks such as canvasbacks are totally dependent on aquatic habitats throughout their life cycle. Canvasbacks nest in prairie, parkland, subarctic, and Great Basin wetlands; stage during spring and fall on prairie marshes, northern lakes, and rivers; and winter in Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico bays, estuaries, and some inland lakes. They feed on plant and animal foods in wetland sediments. Availability of preferred foods, especially energy-rich subterranean plant parts, is probably the most important factor influencing geographic distribution and habitat use by canvasbacks. In spite of management efforts that have included restrictive harvest regulations and frequent hunting closures in all or some of the flyways (Anderson 1989), canvasback numbers declined from 1955 to 1993 and remain below the population goal (540,000) of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (USFWS and Canadian Wildlife Service 1994). Causes for this apparent decline are not well understood, but habitat loss and degradation, low rates of recruitment, a highly skewed sex ratio favoring males, and reduced survival of canvasbacks during their first year are considered important constraints on population growth.

Book chapter↗

USGS2005

Broad-scale predictors of canada lynx occurrence in eastern North America

The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is listed as a threatened species throughout the southern extent of its geographic range in the United States. Most research on lynx has been conducted in the western United States and Canada; little is known about the ecology of lynx in eastern North America. To fill critical knowledge gaps about this species, we modeled and mapped lynx occurrence using habitat and weather data from 7 eastern states and 3 Canadian provinces. Annual snowfall, road density, bobcat (L. rufus) harvest, deciduous forest, and coniferous forest were compared at 1,150 lynx locations and 1,288 random locations. Nineteen a priori models were developed using the information-theoretic approach, and logistic regression models were ranked using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) and by our ability to correctly classify reserved data (Kappa). Annual snowfall and deciduous forest predicted lynx presence and absence for a reserved dataset (n = 278) with 94% accuracy. A map of the probability of lynx occurrence throughout the region revealed that 92% of the potential habitat (i.e., >50% probability of occurrence) was concentrated in a relatively contiguous complex encompassing northern Maine, New Brunswick, and the Gaspe?? peninsula of Quebec. Most of the remaining potential habitat (5%) was on northern Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Potential habitat in New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York was small (1,252 km2), fragmented, and isolated (>200 km) from known lynx populations. When federally listed as threatened in the contiguous United States in 2000, inadequate regulations on federal lands were cited as the primary threat to Canada lynx. However, the majority of potential lynx habitat in the eastern United States is on private lands and continuous with potential habitat in Canada. Therefore, lynx conservation in eastern North America will need to develop partnerships across national, state, and provincial boundaries as well as with private landowners.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗

USGS2015

Who invented the mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus )? On the authorship of the fraudulent 1812 journal of Charles Le Raye

The captivity journal of Charles Le Raye was first published in 1812 as a chapter in A topographical description of the state of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana , a volume authored anonymously by a late officer in the U. S. Army. Le Raye was purported to be a French Canadian fur trader who, as a captive of the Sioux, had travelled across broad portions of the Missouri and Yellowstone river drainages a few years before the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806), and his account of the land, its people, and its natural resources was relied upon as a primary source by generations of natural historians, geographers, and ethnographers. Based directly on descriptions of animals in the published journal, the naturalist Constantine S. Rafinesque named seven new species of North American mammals, including what are currently recognized as the mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ) and a Great Plains subspecies of white-tailed deer ( O. virginianus macrourus ). Unfortunately, Le Raye never existed, and historical, geographical, and ethnographical evidence indicates that the journal is fraudulent. Determining the author of this work is relevant to identifying the sources used to construct it, which may help us to understand the real animals upon which Rafinesque's species are based. Traditionally, authorship of the volume was attributed to Jervis Cutler, but his role in composing the fraudulent Le Raye journal has been called into question. In this paper, I present additional evidence supporting the hypothesis that Jervis Cutler bears primary responsibility for the Le Raye journal and that he had the background, opportunity, and potential motive to author it.

Archives of Natural History↗

USGS2019

Habitat rehabilitation in the Detroit River area of concern

Loss and degradation of fish and wildlife habitat is a long-standing issue in the Detroit River. The Detroit River Remedial Action Plan helped agencies and stakeholder groups reach agreement on impaired beneficial uses, including loss of fish and wildlife habitat, and helped mobilize all stakeholders to rehabilitate habitat. Many organizations played key roles, including the Detroit River Public Advisory Council, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, State of the Strait Conferences, American and Canadian Heritage River Initiatives, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, and Western Lake Erie Watersheds Priority Natural Area. Accomplishments include: 14 habitat restoration projects on both the Canadian and U.S. side of the Detroit River; 53 soft shoreline engineering projects in the watershed; nine fish spawning reefs in the river, common tern habitat in four locations; and many wetland and green infrastructure projects. Based on Detroit River habitat restoration efforts over the last 32 years, the following advice is offered: reach agreement on severity and geographic extent of the problem; practice adaptive management; involve habitat experts up front in project design; establish quantitative targets for project success; ensure sound multidisciplinary technical support; start with demonstration projects; treat habitat projects as experiments; involve citizen scientists in monitoring; measure benefits; communicate and celebrate successes; and promote education and outreach.

Michigan, Ontario↗

USGS2019

Techniques for estimating the magnitude and frequency of peak flows on small streams in the binational U.S. and Canadian Lake of the Woods–Rainy River Basin upstream from Kenora, Ontario, Canada, based on data through water year 2013

A binational study was initiated to update statistical equations that are used to estimate the magnitude and frequency of peak flows on streams in Manitoba and Ontario, Canada, and Minnesota that are contained within the binational Lake of the Woods–Rainy River Basin upstream from Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Hydraulic engineers use peak streamflow data to inform designs of bridges, culverts, and dams, and water managers use peak streamflow data to inform regulation and planning activities. However, long-term streamflow measurements are available at few locations along the more than 20,000 miles of stream/ditch networks within the binational Lake of the Woods–Rainy River Basin upstream from Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Estimates of peak-flow magnitudes for 66.7-, 50-, 20-, 10-, 4-, 2-, 1-, and 0.2-percent annual exceedance probabilities equivalent to annual flood-frequency recurrence intervals of 1.5-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50-, 100-, and 500-year recurrence intervals, respectively, are presented for 49 streamgages in Minnesota and adjacent areas in the Province of Ontario, Canada, based on data collected through water year 2013. Peak-flow frequency information was subsequently used in regression analyses to develop equations relating peak flows for selected recurrence intervals to various basin and climatic characteristics. The study area includes 49 streamgages located in the binational Lake of the Woods–Rainy River Basin upstream from Kenora, Ontario, Canada, and is represented by southern portions of the Canadian Provinces of Manitoba (2 percent) and Ontario (56 percent) and the northern portion of the U.S. State of Minnesota (42 percent). The study area was represented by three regions that were defined in previous studies in the U.S. State of Minnesota and another in the Canadian Province of Ontario. The two Minnesota regions A and B were developed using a multiple regression method and hydrologic landscape units were used to validate regions in Minnesota. The Ontario region A was developed using a multiple regression method and standardized residuals from the 100-year recurrence intervals. Canadian maximum instantaneous peak-flow data were converted from a calendar year to a water year (October 1 to September 30) and where the annual maximum instantaneous peak-flow value was not available in HYDAT, the Sangal method was applied to known average daily flow values to estimate an annual maximum instantaneous peak-flow value. Geographic information system software was used to calculate eight characteristics investigated as potential explanatory variables in the regression analyses. The procedure for estimating peak-flow frequency for selected exceedance probabilities for a specific ungaged site depends on whether the site is near a streamgage on the same stream or is on an ungaged stream. For an ungaged site near a streamgage on the same stream, the drainage-area ratio method can be used. For an ungaged site on an ungaged stream, the regional regression equations developed for this study should be used. All equations presented in this study will be incorporated into StreamStats, a web-based geographic information system tool developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. StreamStats allows users to obtain streamflow statistics, basin characteristics, and other information for user-selected locations on streams through an interactive map.

Manitoba, Minnesota, Ontario↗

USGS1974

Karyotypic analyses of twenty-one species of molossid bats (Molossidae: Chiroptera)

Examination of 135 specimens representing 21 species from seven genera of the family Molossidae revealed diploid numbers ranging from 34 to 48. Seventeen species from six genera have diploid numbers of 48. Geographic variation and polymorphism were found only in Eumops glaucinus . Chromosomal variation within the family is presumed to be primarily due to changes in diploid number resulting from Robertsonian translocations.

Canadian Journal of Genetics and Cytology↗

USGS2001

Declining scaup populations: A retrospective analysis of long-term population and harvest survey data

We examined long-term databases concerning population status of scaup (lesser [ Aythya affinis ] and greater scaup [ A. marila ] combined) and harvest statistics of lesser scaup to identify factors potentially limiting population growth. Specifically, we explored evidence for and against the general hypotheses that scaup populations have declined in association with declining recruitment and/or female survival. We examined geographic heterogeneity in scaup demographic patterns that could yield evidence about potential limiting factors. Several biases exist in survey methodology used to estimate scaup populations and harvest statistics; however, none of these biases likely accounted for our major findings that (1) the continental scaup breeding population has declined over the last 20 years, with widespread and consistent declines within surveyed areas of the Canadian western boreal forest where most lesser scaup breed; (2) sex ratios of lesser scaup in the U.S. harvest have increased (more males now relative to females); and (3) age ratios of lesser scaup in the U.S. harvest have declined (fewer immatures now relative to adults), especially in the midcontinent region. We interpreted these major findings as evidence that (1) recruitment of lesser scaup has declined over the last 20 years, particularly in the Canadian western boreal forest; and (2) survival of female lesser scaup has declined relative to that of males. We found little evidence that harvest was associated with the scaup population decline. Our findings underscore the need for both improvements and changes to population survey procedures and new research to discriminate among various hypotheses explaining the recent scaup population decline.

North America↗

USGS1994

Circum-North Pacific tectonostratigraphic terrane map

The companion tectonostratigraphic terrane and overlap assemblage of map the Circum-North Pacific presents a modern description of the major geologic and tectonic units of the region. The map illustrates both the onshore terranes and overlap volcanic assemblages of the region, and the major offshore geologic features. The map is the first collaborative compilation of the geology of the region at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by geologists of the Russian Far East, Japanese, Alaskan, Canadian, and U.S.A. Pacific Northwest. The map is designed to be a source of geologic information for all scientists interested in the region, and is designed to be used for several purposes, including regional tectonic analyses, mineral resource and metallogenic analyses (Nokleberg and others, 1993, 1994a), petroleum analyses, neotectonic analyses, and analyses of seismic hazards and volcanic hazards. This text contains an introduction, tectonic definitions, acknowledgments, descriptions of postaccretion stratified rock units, descriptions and stratigraphic columns for tectonostratigraphic terranes in onshore areas, and references for the companion map (Sheets 1 to 5). This map is the result of extensive geologic mapping and associated tectonic studies in the Russian Far East, Hokkaido Island of Japan, Alaska, the Canadian Cordillera, and the U.S.A. Pacific Northwest in the last few decades. Geologic mapping suggests that most of this region can be interpreted as a collage of fault-bounded tectonostratigraphic terranes that were accreted onto continental margins around the Circum- . orth Pacific mainly during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic (Fujita and ewberry, 1983; 1987; Parfenov, 1984, 1991; Howell, 1985; Watson and Fujita, 1985; Parfenov and Natal'in, 1984; Jones and others. 1987; Monger and Berg, 1987, Fujita and Cook. 1990; Zonenshain and others. 1990; Natal'in, 1991, 1993; Moore and others, 1992; Silberling and others, 1992; Nokleberg and others. 1992, 1993, 1994a; Parfenov and others. 1993; Plaflcer and Berg, 1994; Tabor, 1994). This map is the result of extensive geologic mapping and associated tectonic studies in the Russian Far East, Hokkaido Island of Japan, Alaska, the Canadian Cordillera, and the U.S.A. Pacific Northwest in the last few decades. Geologic mapping suggests that most of this region can be interpreted as a collage of fault-bounded tectonostratigraphic terranes that were accreted onto continental margins around the Circum- . orth Pacific mainly during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic (Fujita and ewberry, 1983; 1987; Parfenov, 1984, 1991; Howell, 1985; Watson and Fujita, 1985; Parfenov and Natal'in, 1984; Jones and others. 1987; Monger and Berg, 1987, Fujita and Cook. 1990; Zonenshain and others. 1990; Natal'in, 1991, 1993; Moore and others, 1992; Silberling and others, 1992; Nokleberg and others. 1992, 1993, 1994a; Parfenov and others. 1993; Plaflcer and Berg, 1994; Tabor, 1994). On the companion map and in the descriptions bel?w· terranes are interpreted according to inferred tectonic environments. These environments are (I) cratonai; (2) passive continental margin; (3) metamorphosed continental margin; (4) continental-margin arc; (5) island arc; (6) oceanic crust, seamount, and ophiolite; (7) accretionary wedge and subduction zone: (8) turbidite basin; and (9) metamorphic for terranes that are too highly-deformed and metamorphosed to de~ermine the original tectonic environment. For terranes with complex geologic histories, the chosen color indicates the tectonic environment most prevalent during this history of the terrane. The tectonic environments inf~rred for igneous rocks are both temporal and genetic. The temporal environments are preaccretion and postaccretion. The genetic environments are subduction-related, rift-related, and collisional (anatectic)- related. In addition to terranes, the map also depicts postaccretion units that include: (I) Cenozoic and Mesozoic overlap assemblages of sedimentary and volcanic rocks that are deposited across two or more terranes that formed generally after accretion of most terranes in the region; (2) Cenozoic and Mesozoic basinal deposits that occur within a terrane or on the craton; (3) plutonic rocks. The postaccretion igneous units are identified by age-lithologic abbreviations and by name. These overlap assemblages and basinal deposits formed mainly during sedimentation and magmatism that occurred after accretion of terranes to each other or to a continental margin. Overlap assemblages provide minimum ages on the timing of accretion of terranes. Some Cenozoic and Mesozoic overlap assemblages and basinal deposits, as well as fragments of terranes, are extensively offset by movement along postaccretion faults. In addition, in onshore areas, the map depicts major preaccretion plutonic rocks that are limited to individual terranes. and in offshore areas. the map depicts major oceanic plates,-ocean floor magnetic lineations. oceanic spreading ridges, and seamounts. The map consists of five sheets. Sheets I and 2 depict, at a scale of I :5.000.000. the tectonostratigraphic terranes. preaccretion plutonic rocks, and postaccretion Cenozoic and Mesozoic overlap sedimentary, volcanic. and plutonic assemblages, and basinal deposits for the Circum- orth Pacific including the Russian Far East, northern Hokkaido Island of Japan, Alaska. the Canadian Cordillera, part of the U.S.A. Pacific Northwest. and adjacent offshore areas. Sheet 3 provides the list of map units for Sheets I and 2. Sheet 4 is a index map showing generalized onshore terranes and overlap assemblages for onshore parts of the Circum-North Pacific at a scale of I: I 0,000,000. Sheet 4 is a guide to the more complicated onshore features depicted on Sheets I and 2. Sheet 5 is an index map showing the major geographic regions for the Circum-North Pacific. Significant differences exist between the representation of onshore and offshore geology on Sheets I and 2. These are: (I) compared to the onshore part of the map, the offshore part is depicted in a more schematic fashion because of more limited data and because the offshore terranes and early Cenozoic and older overlap assemblages generally are obscured by extensive late Cenozoic sedimentary cover that is not shown unless thicker than two kilometers; (2) marginal contacts of offshore Cenozoic and Cretaceous sedimentary basins do not match contacts of onshore Cenozoic and Cretaceous sedimentary units because offshore basins are limited to those regions with sediment thicknesses greater than two kilometers; (3) stratigraphic columns, included at the end of this explanation. are provided only for onshore terranes because the geology of offshore terranes is generally less well-known; and (4) for simplicity, the major onshore Cenozoic sedimentary basins are generally not defined and described separately because the onshore part of the map is designed to emphasize terranes and overlap volcanic assemblages that are crucial for both for tectonic and metallogenic analyses published elsewhere (Nokleberg and others, 1993, 1994a). Several key geologic sources were used in the compilation of the map. For Alaska. the basic outcrop pattern for the map is from Beikman (1980), Gehrels and Berg (1992, 1994). Barker and others ( 1994). Brew (1994), and Moli-Stalcup and others ( 1994b). The distribution of terranes is from Jones and others (1987) and Monger and Berg (1987), with modification by Grantz and other (1991 ). Worall (199 1 ), okleberg and others (1993, 1994a), the cited references, and the Alaskan co-authors of this report. For the Canadian Cordillera. the basic outcrop pattern is from Monger and Berg ( 1987), Wheeler and other (1988). and Wheeler and McFeeley ( 1991) with modifications by the Canadian authors. For the northern part of the Russian Far East. the basic outcrop pattern is from So unov (1985) with modifications by the Russian authors. For the outhern part of the Russian Far East, the basic outcrop pattern is from Krasny (1991) and Bazhanov and Oleinik ( 1986) with modification by the Russian authors. The Russian Far East part of the map is the first attempt to define and delineate terranes in that region. In their compilation. the Russian authors utilized the methodology of U.S.A. and Canadian geologists. Because this map is the first attempt to display the terranes. Cenozoic and Mesozoic overlap assemblages. basinal deposit , and plutonic belts of the Russian Far East. the Russian author will appreciate constructive sugge tions for improving the map.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2015

Numerical simulation of groundwater flow, resource optimization, and potential effects of prolonged drought for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area, central Oklahoma

A hydrogeological study including two numerical groundwater-flow models was completed for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area of central Oklahoma. One numerical groundwater-flow model, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation model, encompassed the jurisdictional area and was based on the results of a regional-scale hydrogeological study and numerical groundwater flow model of the Central Oklahoma aquifer, which had a geographic extent that included the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation numerical groundwater-flow model included alluvial aquifers not in the original model and improved calibration using automated parameter-estimation techniques. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation numerical groundwater-flow model was used to analyze the groundwater-flow system and the effects of drought on the volume of groundwater in storage and streamflow in the North Canadian River. A more detailed, local-scale inset model was constructed from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation model to estimate available groundwater resources for two Citizen Potawatomi Nation economic development zones near the North Canadian River, the geothermal supply area and the Iron Horse Industrial Park. Groundwater pumping rates at potential well locations were optimized using the most recent version of the U.S. Geological Survey Groundwater-Management Process for MODFLOW. The objectives of optimization were to determine if a total pumping rate of 500 gallons per minute could be pumped from 5 wells at the geothermal supply area and to maximize discharge from 16 wells at the Iron Horse Industrial Park without exceeding specified head drawdown constraints at the pumping wells and thus prevent groundwater depletion. The inset model was used to estimate North Canadian River streamflow depletion caused by optimized pumping at the Iron Horse Industrial Park because water quality was a concern, and the river may have degraded water quality compared to water in other parts of the alluvial aquifer. The fate of streamflow that infiltrates into groundwater because of pumping was not directly determined, but it was assumed that this water could end up in the well discharge, and was considered to be a maximum proportion of well discharge derived from the North Canadian River. The total optimized continuous pumping rate from five managed wells at the geothermal supply area was 638 gallons per minute, which exceeded the target pumping rate of 500 gallons per minute. The total continuous pumping rate from 16 wells at the Iron Horse Industrial Park was 1,472 gallons per minute, which induced stream infiltration of approximately 4.1 gallons per minute (approximately 0.3 percent of the total well discharge) from the North Canadian River. To estimate the effects of drought on water resources in the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area, a hypothetical 10-year drought during which precipitation would decrease by 50 percent was simulated by decreasing model groundwater recharge by the same proportion for the period 1990–2000 of the transient model. The effects of the drought were estimated by calculating the change in the volume of groundwater storage and groundwater flow to streams at the end of the drought period, and the change in simulated streamflow in the North Canadian River at the streamflow-gaging station at Shawnee, Okla., during and after the drought. The hypothetical decrease in recharge during the simulated drought caused groundwater in storage over the entire model in the study area to decrease by 361,500 acre-feet (14,100 acre-feet in the North Canadian River alluvial aquifer and 347,400 acre-feet in the Central Oklahoma aquifer), or approximately 0.2 percent of the total groundwater in storage over the drought period. This small percentage of groundwater loss showed that the Central Oklahoma aquifer as a bedrock aquifer has relatively low rates of recharge from the surface relative to the approximate storage. The budget for base flow to the North Canadian River indicated that the change in groundwater flow to the North Canadian River decreased during the 10-year drought by 386,500 acre-feet, or 37 percent. In all other parts of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Tribal Jurisdictional Area, base flow decreased by 292,000 acre-feet, or 28 percent. Streamflow in the North Canadian River at the streamflow-gaging station at Shawnee, Okla., decreased during the hypothetical drought by as much as 28 percent, and the mean change in streamflow decreased as much as 16 percent. Streamflow at the Shawnee streamflow-gaging station did not recover to nondrought conditions until about 3 years after the simulated drought ended, during the relatively wet year of 2007.

Oklahoma↗

USGS2016

Geographic distribution of genetic diversity in populations of Rio Grande Chub Gila pandora

In the southwestern United States (US), the Rio Grande chub ( Gila pandora) is state-listed as a fish species of greatest conservation need and federally listed as sensitive due to habitat alterations and competition with non-native fishes. Characterizing genetic diversity, genetic population structure, and effective number of breeders will assist with conservation efforts by providing a baseline of genetic metrics. Genetic relatedness within and among G. pandora populations throughout New Mexico was characterized using 11 microsatellite loci among 15 populations in three drainage basins (Rio Grande, Pecos, Canadian). Observed heterozygosity (H O ) ranged from 0.71–0.87 and was similar to expected heterozygosity (0.75–0.87). Rio Ojo Caliente (Rio Grande) had the highest allelic richness (A R = 15.09), while Upper Rio Bonito (Pecos) had the lowest allelic richness (A R = 6.75). Genetic differentiation existed among all populations with the lowest genetic variation occurring within the Pecos drainage. STRUCTURE analysis revealed seven genetic clusters. Populations of G. pandora within the upper Rio Grande drainage (Rio Ojo Caliente, Rio Vallecitos, Rio Pueblo de Taos) had high levels of admixture with Q-values ranging from 0.30–0.50. In contrast, populations within the Pecos drainage (Pecos River and Upper Rio Bonito) had low levels of admixture (Q = 0.94 and 0.87, respectively). Estimates of effective number of breeders ( N b ) varied from 6.1 (Pecos: Upper Rio Bonito) to 109.7 (Rio Grande: Rio Peñasco) indicating that populations in the Pecos drainage are at risk of extirpation. In the event that management actions are deemed necessary to preserve or increase genetic diversity of G. pandora , consideration must be given as to which populations are selected for translocation.

Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico,↗

USGS2017

The role of the North American Breeding Bird Survey in conservation

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) was established in 1966 in response to a lack of quantitative data on changes in the populations of many bird species at a continental scale, especially songbirds. The BBS now provides the most reliable regional and continental trends and annual indices of abundance available for >500 bird species. This paper reviews some of the ways in which BBS data have contributed to bird conservation in North America over the past 50 yr, and highlights future program enhancement opportunities. BBS data have contributed to the listing of species under the Canadian Species at Risk Act and, in a few cases, have informed species assessments under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. By raising awareness of population changes, the BBS has helped to motivate bird conservation efforts through the creation of Partners in Flight. BBS data have been used to determine priority species and locations for conservation action at regional and national scales through Bird Conservation Region strategies and Joint Ventures. Data from the BBS have provided the quantitative foundation for North American State of the Birds reports, and have informed the public with regard to environmental health through multiple indicators, such as the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Report on the Environment. BBS data have been analyzed with other data (e.g., environmental, land cover, and demographic) to evaluate potential drivers of population change, which have then informed conservation actions. In a few cases, BBS data have contributed to the evaluation of management actions, including informing the management of Mourning Doves ( Zenaida macroura ), Wood Ducks ( Aix sponsa ), and Golden Eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ). Improving geographic coverage in northern Canada and in Mexico, improving the analytical approaches required to integrate data from other sources and to address variation in detectability, and completing the database, by adding historical bird data at each point count location and pinpointing the current point count locations would further enhance the survey's value.

Condor↗

USGS2023

The blue carbon reservoirs from Maine to Long Island, NY

In response to the New England Governor and Eastern Canadian Premier 2017 Climate Change Action Plan recommendation to “manage blue carbon resources to preserve and enhance their existing carbon reservoirs,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a New England Blue Carbon Inventory Workgroup, comprised of a variety of federal, state, academic, and non-profit organizations to develop an inventory of blue carbon stocks from Maine to Long Island, New York. The Workgroup focused its inventory efforts on salt marshes and eelgrass meadows, leveraging existing habitat maps for geographic data. Existing data for soil organic carbon stocks were then used to calculate blue carbon stock estimates. For visual display purposes, sediment carbon heat maps were developed to highlight areas of greatest carbon accumulation. The habitat distribution and sediment carbon heat maps can be accessed on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal (www.northeastoceandata.org/eelgrass) which is a public source of expert-reviewed, interactive maps and data on the ocean ecosystem, economy, and culture of the northeastern United States and can be used to facilitate decision making by government agencies, tribal nations, businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, and individuals. Based on available data and Workgroup calculations, the target geographic area has an estimated 218,222 acres of eelgrass meadows, salt marsh and saline Phragmites, which are estimated to provide a reservoir of 7,523,568 megagrams of blue carbon, or the equivalent to the annual carbon emissions from over 5,944,024 passenger vehicles. Due to data limitations, the carbon stock estimate represents a mere fraction of the actual quantity of accumulated carbon in these habitats. The findings from the Workgroup’s efforts and the resulting map products can help inform land and coastal management policies, fisheries management, and climate change mitigation practices. Further refinements and expansion of data are needed, including more detailed habitat maps, deeper soil core data for soil organic carbon content, and inclusion of more marine flora into calculations.

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, ↗

USGS2019

Relatedness within and among Myotis septentrionalis colonies at a local scale

Abstract: We assessed parentage within and among maternity colonies of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis Troessart 1897) in north-central Kentucky from 2011–2013 to better understand colony social structure, formation, and membership dynamics. We intensively sampled colonies in close and remote (> 10 km) spatial proximity both before and after targeted day-roost removal. Colonies were not necessarily comprised of closely related individuals, but natal philopatry was common. Adjacent colonies often contained maternally related individuals, indicating that some pups did disperse, albeit not far from their natal home range. Lack of apparent overlap among maternity colonies, along with no observed individual movements between colonies, suggests that colonies may be relatively closed once established in the maternity season. Whereas some young on site had been sired by males collected on site that by chance had dispersed to the same summering grounds, most had not, as would be expected since the species mates in the fall swarms near hibernacula. The number of parentages that we inferred among colonies, however, suggests that outside the maternity season, social groups may be relatively flexible and open, with individuals moving among groups close to their natal area. Analysis of microsatellite DNA data showed a low FST (= 0.011) and best fit to a model of one multilocus genotypic cluster across the study area. We observed high turnover in colony membership between years in all colonies, regardless of roost removal treatment. Our results suggest that female northern long-eared bats exhibit fidelity to a general geographic area rather than individual colonies between years, and indicate presence of a complex and dynamic social-genetic structure. Greater understanding of colony dynamics, including formation, dissolution, and dispersal patterns, may contribute to conservation and management of this threatened species.

Kentucky↗

USGS2018

Integration of potential-field and digital geologic data for two North American geoscience transects

Two North American contributions to the Global Geoscience Transects Program, the Quebec-Maine-Gulf of Maine transect and the Great Lakes portion of the United States-Canadian Border transect, are among the first to produce digital geology in a form that can be combined with gridded gravity and aeromagnetic data. Maps of shaded relief and color-composite bandpass-filtered potential-field data combined with overlays of digitized geologic contacts and faults reveal significant new geologic information, including the relative thickness of plutons, the structure of poorly exposed or concealed magnetic units, and possible evidence for mineralized ground. Mechanisms for capturing digital geology by use of scanners, commercial geographic information systems (GIS) software packages, and public-domain PC-based software packages are illustrated by examples from these two transects. The digital geology is combined with the potential field data by use of in-house raster-based image-processing software and commercial hardware. Geologic cross sections constructed along the transects may be tested and refined by using 2-D and 2.5-D magnetic- and gravity-modeling software. The integrated data sets ultimately allow construction of 3-D models of the crust within the transects.

Journal of Geological Education↗

USGS2007

Revisiting evolutionary dead ends in sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ) life history

This study challenges recent hypotheses about sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ) colonization based on life history and broadens the pathways that investigators should consider when studying sockeye colonization of novel habitats. Most sockeye populations exhibit lake-type life histories. Riverine populations are thought to be more likely to stray from their natal stream to spawn and therefore colonize new habitat. We examined genetic relationships among five geographically proximate sockeye populations from the Aniakchak region of the Alaska Peninsula, Alaska. Specifically, we sought to determine if the genetic population structure was consistent with the hypothesis that a riverine population colonized a recently available upriver volcanic caldera lake, and whether recent volcanism led to genetic bottlenecks in these sockeye populations. Heterozygosity and allelic richness were not higher in the riverine population. Patterns of genetic divergence suggested that the geographically proximate riverine sockeye population did not colonize the lake; the caldera populations were more genetically divergent from the downstream riverine population ( F ST &ensp;=&ensp; 0.047) than a lake-type population in a different drainage ( F ST &ensp;=&ensp; 0.018). Our results did not suggest the presence of genetic bottlenecks in the caldera populations.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗

USGS2017

Geologic sources of energy

This chapter describes the exploration, development, and geologic setting of petroleum resources (including tar sands), coal resources (including coalbed methane), and geothermal energy resources of the Northern Cordillera.For petroleum resources, the chapter describes: (1) the history of petroleum development and production, first for Alaska and then for the Canadian Cordillera; and (2) generalized basin analysis geologic settings for the six major petroleum basins that are illustrated in summary maps and cross sections. Subsequent sections of the chapter describe the nature and geologic setting of tar sand resources, geothermal energy resources, and coal resources. The area distribution of the energy resources of the region are depicted in the Energy Resources Map that has multiple layers that can be displayed in various arrangements. Employing this map in a separate window while reading the text will be greatly beneficial. Many geographic names are employed in the descriptions throughout this chapter. While reading this chapter, viewing the Geographic Regions Layer of the Energy Resources Map, as needed, will be valuable.

Book chapter↗